The
Internal Use Question Answer
Essential
oil use is documented as early as 4500 B.C., and the reintroduction of
essential oils into modern society began in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries. As essential oils gain prominence, people are rediscovering
their profound impact on health, appearance, and well-being. Most consumers,
however, are educated only about topical application or the effects of
the oils' aroma. Being a progressive company, Young Living teaches that
using all available methods, including taking them internally, can bring
greater results in shorter periods of time. Oils are our powerful allies,
and it makes sense to use all methods of application appropriately to
bring about desired results.
How people use essential oils is largely influenced by what is accepted
within their culture, For instance, the English dilute small amounts of
essential oils and massage them into the body. The German model of essential
oil use focuses on the inhalation of the oils. They believe that the aroma
of an oil affects body and mind. The French, who are more aggressive users,
recommend rubbing them into the skin-in most cases undiluted, or neat.
They also take certain quantities (depending on the size of the person
and the kind of oil) internally to obtain therapeutic benefits.
Even before the establishment of Young Living Essential Oils, D. Gary
Young taught with confidence all three methods of application. He knew
from personal experience that in certain circumstances the oral route
is the most beneficial way of using the oils. Gary's vast knowledge was
gained from study, practical use, and from the teachings of various European
essential oil masters such as Dr. Jean Valnet, Dr. Daniel Penoel, and
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Unlike other essential oil leaders, Gary took
the best information from different philosophies and incorporated them
into a varied and unique system promoted by Young Living. Enlightened
essential oil users worldwide are benefiting from Young Living methodology.
Historical
Influence and the Internal Use of Oils
Fear and misconceptions surrounding the oral use of essential oils may
be largely due to the personal beliefs of Marguerite Maury. Austrian-born
Maury moved to France; there, she gained interest in essential oils after
reading a book called Les Grandes Possibilities par les Matieres by a
Dr. Chabenes, a teacher of the later renowned Rene Gattefosse. Maury eventually
married a French doctor and continued her research on the use of essential
oils. After much study, Maury developed a technique that included diluted
essential oils and massage. Her oil blends were created for external use
only.
While the doctors around her prescribed essential oils for a number of
maladies, Maury felt uncomfortable recommending oils for internal use.
It is unclear why she did not use her husband for such prescriptions.
In any event, it was mainly her lack of medical expertise that influenced
Maury's decision for advocating only external application and not that
the oils were dangerous or toxic. Maury later left France and moved to
England where she taught future aromatherapy leaders (Daniele Ryman and
Marceline Arcier). Maury's strong belief in topical use and dilution became
England's guiding influence for the topical application of essential oils.
A majority of teachers and users of essential oils in the United States
follow the English methodology, which supports diluted topical and inhalation
application. However, closer scrutiny reveals that the U.S. has a long
history of the oral use. Nurses and physicians often gave oils such as
cinnamon, clove, peppermint, sandalwood, and eucalyptus for digestive
disturbances and urinary tract infections. These oils are actually listed
in the eighth edition of Useful Drugs, a handbook published by the American
Medical Association in 1930.
Gattefosse and early French doctors also utilized high doses of oils topically
and internally to obtain pharmaceutical effects. The work of medical doctor
Jean Valnet is well documented. Much of his practical experience resulted
from using essential oils on wounded soldiers during World War II. His
vital, documented work became a guiding influence for future doctors.
Today, the French lead the world in research for internal use and they
ingest essential oils to successfully treat a number of diseases.
Toxic
Oils – the Myth and the Reality
Clinical reports support proper internal use of oils. Ron Guba, a noted
essential oil expert and practicing aromatherapist, states that toxicity
reports "are generally due to accidental ingestion by young children,
attempts at creating abortions in past years, and the use of essential
oils for suicide attempts. There are more rare cases of toxic effects
due to overly large doses of specific essential oils being 'self-prescribed'
to children by parents or prescribed to clients by ill-informed therapists."
The reality is that all essential oils are powerful, and it is therefore
wise to observe precautions. Most authors agree that it is dosage that
determines the safety of internal use.
Len and Shirley Price, authors of Aromatherapy for Health Professionals,
state:
Essential oils are powerful, otherwise they would be of no use therapeutically,
and this means that they must be employed with care and knowledge to achieve
beneficial results. Inappropriate use in whatever way can bring about
undesired effects. Dosage, in terms of both quantity and time, is ail/
important since too little may mean little or no result, while too much
may (depending on the oils used) have a beneficial effect or create a
serious problem .... Many substances in common use are toxic in overdose-e.g.,
carrots are beneficial in moderation, although a surfeit will produce
illness, and this is true of many other everyday foods such as tomatoes,
saffron and mustard.
Robert Tisserand, a recognized essential oil expert notorious for his
exuberant number of cautions, states, "All reported cases of serious
poisoning with essential oils have occurred after the ingestion of relatively
large amounts of essential oil. Only In a very few cases were the oils
being taken for therapeutic purposes, and in these few instances the person
was generally self-administering rather than following the advice of a
practitioner."
It is evident that the dose is the main factor affecting safety. It is
extremely important to follow instructions carefully. In the case of essential
oils, more is not necessarily better.
Internal
Considerations
Good benefits may be obtained by dropping diluted essential oils into
a capsule, directly onto the tongue, or onto a teaspoon of agave. However,
to receive optimal benefits from taking oils internally, the delivery
method must be appropriate. Price and Price note the possibility of changes
of essential oil molecules from encountering digestive enzymes, strong
acids, and metabolization.
The scientific director of the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, Kurt
Schnaubelt, Ph.D., states, "Many authors and practitioners agree
... that ingestion or rectal absorption of essential oils are often the
most appropriate therapy. The lipophilic nature of essential oils causes
them to be rapidly absorbed. If not placed in an appropriate carrier substance
or emulsified in a liquid, the essential oil will not reach its intended
destination in a concentrated enough dosage".
From the information provided by experts, the best method of taking essential
oils internally is to suspend a small amount of it in an oil-soluble liquid
(e.g. V-6™ Enhanced
Vegetable Oil Complex or vegetable oil), and then protect it by encapsulation.
In pharmacies across Europe, essential oil capsules are familiar products.
One Belgian company has been producing essential oil capsules for several
years for such maladies as infections, digestion, and painful menstrual
periods.
Another major issue concerning the internal use of essential oils is the
purity factor. All literature is emphatic that if essential oils are to
be used internally, they must be pure. Young Living and other industry
experts insist that if the oils are used internally they need to conform
to pharmaceutical standards of quality and be free of adulterants, heavy
metals, pesticides, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other undesirable
substances.
Sue Chao, Director of Quality Control and Laboratory at Young Living,
is directly responsible for maintaining high standards of purity and efficacy
of all of Young Living's products. Sue states, "As our world becomes
more and more polluted, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain
the high standards that Young Living sets. Because we care about the health
of our distributors, we take every precaution to make sure that all Young
Living essential oils are of the highest quality available."
More essential oil experts are following the lead of Young Living in pronouncing
the amazing benefits of the oral use of essential oils. As our world becomes
more toxic, and as our prescriptions weaken because of their excessive
use, we once again turn our attention to our most powerful allies, the
plants. Continuing education will expose false philosophies surrounding
the internal use of the oils. Continued research will reveal to the world
the great health benefits of the powerful essential oils.
Note:
Not all essential oils are safe for oral consumption. Read label directions
carefully or seek the advice of a health care professional before administering
internally.
*These
statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
Reprinted
with permission of Young Living, Lehi, UT 84043
Essential Edge magazine
Testimonial
Angela Howard submitted
the following tip:
“My two year old
got a hold of a permanent marker and colored all over my oak desk and
my LCD flat panel TV screen. After trying the strongest cleaning chemicals
in my house, the markings didn't budge. In a panic, I called our local
hardware store to see if they had anything that would get permanent marker
out, and they recommended a product that was around $14 a bottle. However,
the worker said it is such a hazardous chemical that it would probably
ruin the LCD TV screen and eat the finish off my desk. Because of its
toxicity, I declined and went home. When I got home I remembered my 1
oz. bottles of Thieves
Spray. It dissolved the permanent ink out of the desk and the LCD
screen beautifully.* It looks like nothing ever happened! Now that is
what I call POWERFUL!”
*Please test materials
for color safety before applying essential oils.
This
information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided
in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness or disease of the
human body.
|
Diana
Hooper, Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils Member
#378910
